Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant: Is There Still Bright Future For Japan After Disaster

After what happened in 2011 to the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant, the Japanese government is still faced with numerous energy power problems. They are also faced with the number of people displaced in their homes.

Even after six years, the Japanese people are still not sure if they can trust their government with their nuclear power plant. The Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster on March 11, 2011, has really left a big impact on Japan. It has affected more than 100,000 people and their homes. The government has shelled out about 22 trillion yen, or about US$188 billion, Scientific American stated. It was even more than what they first estimated, which is about twice as low.

Currently, the government is trying to develop a plan where the citizens will pay for about 20 percent of the costs. They will get it through higher electricity cost or higher taxes. In 2012, the then-Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has announced that they will close all Fukishima nuclear power plant in 2040. However, that did not happen and will not happen sooner because the current Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, has said that the nuclear power plants are very important. Under him, three began working again but one was shut down after some complaints from citizens' groups.

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Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority that was passed in 2012 has allowed another 21 to restart their applications. They are still under review because they need to pass the regulation of nuclear safety. Meanwhile, the Japanese government is asking the affected people to move back to their homes in the affected area, Mirror reported. Fukushima nuclear power plant is still dangerous to those who will return.

"The relatively high radiation values, both inside and outside houses, show an unacceptable radiation risk for citizens if they were to return to Iitate," energy campaigner Ai Kashiwagi said. The citizens who will return will be like having a chest x-ray once a week, that's how much radiation is still in the place, he added. "This is not normal or acceptable," he finished. On the other hand, in 2015, Japan has already released a long-term plan that will suffice energy of about 20 to 22 percent of Japan up until 2030. If that is going to be followed through, no need to make new Fukushima nuclear power plant.